Empowering First-Generation Graduate Students: Creating Connections at Rowan and Beyond

First-generation graduate students face unique challenges in navigating the academic and social complexities of advanced education. In Spring 2024, a listening session at Rowan University shed light on their needs, sparking the creation of a recognition program tailored to celebrate and support these students. Our interactive presentation will share updates on data collected from this initiative and outline the steps Rowan has taken to foster inclusion and engagement for first-generation graduate students. Additionally, we will highlight innovative approaches from other institutions to provide a broader perspective on best practices. By focusing on both targeted supports for first-generation graduate students and strategies that benefit the broader graduate community, this session aims to inspire collaborative action and share scalable ideas. Participants will engage in discussions to identify gaps, propose solutions, and collectively envision the next steps for empowering first-generation graduate students in higher education.